Shooters Closed for Renovations Until October; Bootlegger Closes For Good

It's official. Shooters, the waterfront restaurant best known for happy hours, a large dock, and swimsuit contests around the pool, has closed for renovation.

The restaurant was purchased along with Bootlegger in a package deal by Grateful Palate's owner, William McIntyre, for $7 million back in July. McIntyre then wasted no time implementing his plan to renovate and refresh Shooters and turn Bootleggers into an event space for his Grateful Palate operation.

This past Monday, Shooters closed for renovations, which include the demolition of the pool which held years of slightly inebriated memories for most Fort Lauderdale residents. The pool deck will be turned into a large, alfresco dining area.

Shooters is expected to reopen with the same name in mid-October, though renovations will not be fully completed until 2014. According to the Shooters Facebook page, the refurbished restaurant will have "beautiful new decor, inside and out, and a freshly inspired menu by the outstanding Grateful Palate team."

Bootleggers will re-open in October as Events by Grateful Palate, a 6,000 square foot waterfront event space for weddings and private events. Grateful Palate Yacht Provisions will be moved from their current 17th Street Causeway location to the Bootleggers space.

The Grateful Palate restaurant, also located on the 17th Street Causeway, served its last meal in July, although their yacht provision division is still operating there.

According to a statement on the company's Facebook page, "All of the Grateful Palate's excellent wait staff and talented chefs that have been key to the success of the restaurant and yacht provisioning business will make the transition to the new location."